Free statewide program gives women a chance to test business ideas before seeking investment
Women across New South Wales have until 19 July to apply for the first stage of FLIP, a free founder development program that helps participants assess the commercial potential of innovative ideas before progressing to more intensive business development support.
A founder development program developed by the University of Newcastle's Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) has expanded beyond the Hunter and Central Coast, giving women across New South Wales access to structured support to assess and develop innovative business ideas.
Known as FLIP NSW, the initiative is being delivered through the NSW Government's $4 million Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program and is funded in partnership with the MacDougall Foundation. Applications for the first phase close at 11.59pm on Sunday 19 July.
Over the next two years, FLIP NSW will support up to 188 female founders, with at least half of participants expected to come from regional NSW. The program is delivered primarily online, making it accessible regardless of where participants live.
Building on a proven regional model
The statewide program builds on the FLIP model previously delivered in the Hunter and Central Coast through I2N.
According to the University of Newcastle, the expansion follows more than a decade of I2N supporting startups and small businesses. During that time, more than 188 ventures have been supported, raising more than $63 million in capital, creating 280 jobs and contributing more than $44 million in wages across the Hunter and Central Coast.
The MacDougall Foundation, established by University of Newcastle alumni Belinda and Adam MacDougall, is contributing $200,000 over two years to expand mentoring opportunities and provide early stage seed funding for selected ventures participating in the program's concluding showcase event.
University of Newcastle Acting Director of Knowledge Exchange and Entrepreneurship Siobhan Curran said the Foundation had supported the FLIP program since it began and would continue to help women access entrepreneurial education and mentoring through the expanded statewide initiative.
Two pathways for women founders
FLIP NSW has been designed for women at different stages of developing an idea.
The first stage, Founder Readiness, runs from 4 August to 15 September. Over seven weeks, participants take part in online workshops, coaching sessions, networking opportunities and self paced learning designed to help determine whether an idea addresses a genuine market need and is ready for further development.
The second stage, the Pre-Accelerator Intensive, runs from 8 October to 3 December. Participants receive weekly coaching and attend workshops covering customer validation, business models, startup finance, leadership, communication and pitching before presenting their venture at a statewide showcase event.
Women who already have more advanced ideas are able to apply directly for the second stage, while others can use the first phase to determine whether they are ready to progress.
Open to founders across the state
The program is open to women aged 18 years and over who live in NSW and have an innovative product or scalable service idea. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with the University of Newcastle, the University of New England or Charles Sturt University.
Ideas can range from early concepts through to existing businesses, provided they have not received more than $500,000 in external investment and have the potential to grow beyond a sole operator business.
For businesses across NSW, the expansion of a locally developed founder program into a statewide initiative strengthens opportunities to connect with emerging ventures, future employers and new commercial ideas as more women progress from concept to enterprise.
